Mar 24, 2014

Florida angler lands 14-foot hammerhead shark from beach

A group of Florida anglers has uploaded video showing the recent capture and release of a hammerhead shark estimated to measure 14 feet and weigh 700 pounds.

(We’ve supplied a shortened version to bring viewers quickly to the shark footage; click here for 5:24 version.)

The shark was caught on the Atlantic side of the Florida peninsula.

Viktor Hluben fought the predator for about an hour before it could be tail-roped and hauled ashore for video opportunities.

Hluben is part of a group called Landshark Fishing, which specializes in nighttime fishing for large sharks.

Landshark states at the beginning of the full hammerhead video:

“Do not try this at home! … We do not condone or support the killing of any shark species. We are a group of big-game anglers with unconventional methods and conservation at the heart of our practice.”

Hluben used a custom rod and big-game reel (14-0 Penn Senator). In the full version he can be seen grimacing and holding steady, while answering questions from the videographer, as the shark pulls line and struggled to resist capture.

During the release the anglers are aware that they’re dealing with a weary predator. The line is cut, the shark carefully is turned, and ultimately it swims off.

The Landshark Facebook page brims with posts about catches of rage sharks known to roam the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico, so the group obvious possesses expertise in reeling them in and letting them go.

But their words are worth heeding for curious novice anglers: Don’t try this at home.